A few years ago there came a point in my life where things got a little stale. Life was good but generally speaking, everything was very middle of the road.The highs weren’t too high & the lows weren’t too low. Living felt safe and easy. Too easy.

Because deep down I knew that I was selling myself short.

So I put a tiny wrench in my predictable flow by deciding to book a solo trip to Istanbul–a place that wasn’t even on my radar until I decided to go. I’d never been, didn’t know the language & didn’t know a soul. Everyone thought I was crazy to venture to Turkey alone & my mom strongly encouraged me to rethink my decision. I was scared to death because I didn’t have all of the money to go and I’d even turned down a high profile design opportunity on the bet that I would be out of the country. But none of this mattered, because something was telling me that I needed to make that trip…and the minute I told the world that I was going to Istanbul, every single thing fell in line–I even scored an airline ticket at 50% off of the published price!

I always say that the Universe will honor us when we honor ourselves, and this is just one of MANY times I’ve seen this principle work in my own life. Following my intuition to Istanbul ended up being one of THE best gifts I’ve ever given to myself.

It was there that I learned my strength, adaptability & capability aren’t just limited to the United States. Or to English-speaking countries. And it was there, while eating baklava along the Bosphorus Strait, that I understood the cost of playing it safe & easy meant I would be settling for an undiscovered life. And being in Istanbul showed me that was a price I couldn’t afford to pay.

It’s a lessonI haven’t since forgotten.

Here’s the thing about settling for the lesser life:it will never get you to the juice.

It’s like hanging on the side of the pool because you know you can get wet without exerting any effort. You’ve got your bathing suit on & you’re out there having fun, feeling like you’re really getting the best of both worlds until one day you look out and realize you’ve been had because the real merriment is actually happening in the middle of the pool!! Everyone is doing all kinds of exciting things with both hands because the people in the middle decided to let go of the edge so they can have more experiences. The Middles are lit AF!! They can swim underwater, do cannonballs, play Marco Polo & even get in a friendly round of water polo, all while you’re looking on from the outskirts, missing the action ’cause you’re still hanging onto the side of the pool. Over there trying to “take it easy”.

But the edge isn’t as appealing once you realize the secret–the middle is where the juice is.

It’s the metaphorical place where you become the storyteller of your journey.Moving across the country for new love? Leaving a secure 9-5 job to follow your passion??None of it can happen unless you let go of the edge & swim out to the middle. Because making a better story is all about opening up to the unknown.It’s about letting go of who we are to make space for the potential of who we must become.

So how exactly do you get to the juicy middle?? You do it by constantly asking yourself, “What will give me an opportunity to grow into a deeper version of myself??” and “What will make for a better life story??”.And then you act accordingly. It could be as small as joining a new social group or it could be as big as finally leaving a stale relationship. No matter the move, you know when it’s your time to move and you go–even in the face of uncertainty. For me, it was going to Istanbul alone, led only by the guidance of a deep knowing in my soul—my intuition.

This is the epiphany led me to launch “Lost & Found Marrakech”, which is my unique way of creating a space for community & adventure to co-exist along the backdrop of the North African desert. It’s my attempt to gift to other women a little bit of the same freedom, confidence, & thrill that I experienced in Istanbul. The kinda things that can change your life.

So if you’ve been thinking about joining me in Marrakech, knowing that you need to go but paralyzed by your what-ifs, think about what I said earlier and honor yourself so that the Universe can honor you.Deposits are due today & there are still a few spaces left–could one of them be for you?? Take inventory & ask yourself, “What will give me an opportunity to grow into a deeper version of myself??” and if coming to Marrakech feels right for you, I’d love to have you.

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I'm Dayka...

..and I'm an Atlanta-based Truth-Teller, designer, world traveler & speaker. I'm also an ALCHEMIST, which means I take common things--ideas, experiences, words--and transform them into GOLD. I find the beauty in being exactly who you are. Because it's one thing to help you create a beautiful home...but it's another to help you create a beautiful LIFE.
And I'm here to help you do just that.